How serious is this DTC?
A stored P2042 code should be considered serious and addressed as quickly as possible. The SCR system could be disabled because of this. Catalyst damage could occur if the conditions that contributed to the code being stored are not corrected in a timely manner.
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P2042 trouble code may include:
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Excessive black smoke from vehicle exhaust
- Decreased engine performance
- Other SCR-related codes
What are some common causes of the code?
Causes
of this code may include:
- Faulty reductant temperature sensor
- Open or shorted circuits in the reductant temperature sensor system
- Faulty SCR controller/PCM or programming error
What are the troubleshooting steps for P2042?
A diagnostic scanner, digital volt/ohmmeter (DVOM), and vehicle-specific diagnostic information source will be needed to diagnose a P2042 code.
You can use your vehicle information source to locate a technical service bulletin (TSB) that matches the vehicle’s year, make, and model; as well as engine size, stored codes, and presented symptoms. If you find one, it could provide helpful diagnostic information.
Use the scanner (connected to the vehicle’s diagnostic connector) to retrieve all stored codes and relevant freeze frame data. It’s a good idea to record this information before clearing the codes, then test the vehicle until the PCM enters readiness mode or the code resets.
If the PCM enters readiness mode at this point, the code is intermittent and may be much more difficult to diagnose. If this is the case, the conditions that contributed to the code being stored may need to worsen before an accurate diagnosis can be made.
If the code immediately resets, the next step in your diagnosis will require you to search your vehicle information source for diagnostic flowcharts, connector pinout diagrams, connector face views, and component testing procedures/specifications.
Step 1
Use the DVOM to test the reductant temperature sensor according to manufacturer specifications. Components that do not test within the allowed maximum parameters should be considered faulty.
Step 2
If the actual reductant temperature meets specifications, the P2042 code persists, and the sensor in question is operational, use the DVOM to test the input and output signal circuits between the temperature sensor and the PCM/SCR controller. Disconnect all controllers before using the DVOM for testing.
Reductant temperature sensor codes are typically attributed to a faulty or disconnected sensor